Selective hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone catalyzed by palladium nanoparticles supported on alumina/lanthanide oxides

Palladium nanoparticles supported on mixture of alumina and lanthanide oxides were synthesized and employed for one stage hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone. A conversion of 99.8% with a selectivity of 96.3% to cyclohexanone was obtained using Pd supported on alumina/lanthanum oxide/cerium oxide with mole ratio of 9:1:1 at mild condition of 80 degrees C and low H-2 pressure of 3 bar. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and volumetric isothermal nitrogen gas adsorption-desorption method (BET) were used for characterization of prepared catalysts.